UNH Opera Workshop

Aaron Copland

On Friday, April 14th and Saturday, April 15th at 8:00 PM in Johnson Theater at the University of New Hampshire, the UNH Opera Program will proudly present the quintessential America opera, Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land. There is no composer who devoted himself more to the subject of America than Copland. The Tender Land, his only opera, deeply and beautifully presents those elements that truly define American character; rugged individualism, hard work, family, dreams, brokenness, healing and a landscape broad and beautiful. These are all set against the enduring American theme of “otherness” and prejudice in a Society created by immigrants arriving to a land of new promise.

Set in the 1930’s, the story centers on Laurie Moss, the first in her mid-western family to ever graduate from high school. Her Mother and Grandpa are so proud. But deep inside, Laurie is profoundly restless and eager to move beyond the boundaries of her rural life. Two drifters come to the farm looking for work, Martin and Top. Laurie and Martin fall in love. A crime has been committed against a young woman in the next county and Ma and Grandpa grow suspicious and eventually blame and openly accuse Martin and Top. Laurie and Martin decide to elope at dawn on the day of her would be graduation. Top talks sense into Martin, that he has nothing at all to offer Laurie and the two men leave before dawn, Martin asking in her absence for forgiveness. Laurie rises, determined to leave and finds herself already abandoned at her most vulnerable moment. She cannot however turn back, but leaves embracing the strength of her own character.

Written in the 1950’s The Tender Land powerfully and prophetically describes on a smaller, rural scale the challenges facing America today at the beginnings of the twenty first century. The enduring musical centerpiece of the opera is the remarkable “Promise of Living” chorus, celebrating the gifts of work in a beautiful land.

There is marvelous singing of the beautiful music from the UNH principals: Isabelle Hegland as Ma Moss, Morgan King as Laurie, Dan Cain and Patrick Berry as Martin and Top, Billy Carleton as Grandpa and Joseph Harris as Mr. Splinters. The performance is staged and directed by Professor David Ripley with wonderful Elizabeth Blood at the piano. It is free and open to the public. Don’t miss this rare and beautiful opportunity.